From the Rough Side of the Mountain

About the Book

At its best, life is still difficult. No matter how much planning one does, no matter how much material wealth is accumulated, life finds ways to challenge every person from time to time. Milton W. Merritt understands the truth of this statement. He understands because he has lived and continues to live in the face of tremendous challenges. However, his story is one of overcoming life’s challenges and from seemingly impossible circumstances snatching joy and peace. In this book where he reflects on his life, there is sound direction for others who seek keys to overcoming what sometimes seems to be an onslaught by life. His aim is to help others minimize the pain and struggle that are so common to our living. Readers are invited to benefit from these lessons of a well lived life.

About the Author

Milton W. Merritt Sr. was born in Miller County, Georgia and received his early education in a one-room church school called Pink Shingle. Finishing high school at Union Normal in Bainbridge, Georgia, he went on to earn a BS degree in Sociology, with a minor in English, from Savannah State College and studied as a Merrill Fellow at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1972. During World War II, he served three years in the U.S. Army and spent most of that time in Europe. Milton Merritt taught in public schools, pastored various churches over fifty years, was a building contractor, and extremely active in the quest for civil rights. Married to the former Alice J. Goins, he is a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Karl W. Merritt was born in Bainbridge, Georgia and completed elementary through high school at Camilla Consolidated School in Camilla, Georgia. He earned a BA in Business Administration from Morehouse College and Master of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary. A retired U.S. Navy Supply Corps officer, Karl pastored in Virginia, was a Realtor in North Carolina, and now volunteers full-time with Great Oak Youth Development Centers Inc. Married to the former Denise Sheppard, he is a father and grandfather.